Rams land Griffin
Andy Griffin will provide much-needed Premiership experience at Pride Park
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Wednesday, 01, Aug 2007 01:47
Derby County have completed the signing of Portsmouth defender Andy Griffin on a three-year deal.
The 28-year-old – who could face his old team-mates in the Rams' opening game of the 2007/08 Premiership season in ten days' time – joins for an undisclosed fee.
Griffin was highly rated as a youngster and joined Premiership club Newcastle United from Stoke City in 1998 for £1.5 million, establishing himself in the England under-18s and under-21s squads.
However he suffered serious injuries in the early seasons of this century which hampered his progress and he was eventually released, joining Portsmouth in 2004.
He played over 100 games for the Magpies and also made over 50 appearances as part of Portsmouth's first team and Derby boss Billy Davies believes this experience will help his side in their upcoming top-flight campaign.
"Andy is an excellent player," Davies said. "[He has a] calm head and a very good attitude and, like Andy Todd, he brings experience to the squad.
"I believe Andy has great years ahead of him. Every time I see him play he shows how consistent he is.
"We're very pleased to have him on board."
On the prospect of more transfers, Davies admitted he has "one or two irons in the fire" and said he would be "working hard right until the end of August to try and strengthen the squad further".